silver cleaning question

[ppalan]

I've read various postings that said that Windex is a product that can be used with good results on silver horns. There are several "types" of Windex with a variety of additives claiming either greater cleaning power or more pleasant odors or fewer streaks left on glass,etc. Several stores in my area don't even seem to carry plain old Windex. Are there any additives to be avoided because of what they could do to the finish...if not immediately then after repeated use?
As always, thanks in advance for any info. provided.
Pete

[DHMTuba]

Sort of OT, but when I e-mailed Miraphone to ask how to care for the silver finish on my new horn, they replied:

For the silver plated surface, please use a soft cloth soaked in sparkling water for cleaning. If there are spots you cannot remove this way, you can use Hagerty silver polish.

[Dan Schultz]

.... For the silver plated surface, please use a soft cloth soaked in sparkling water for cleaning. If there are spots you cannot remove this way, you can use Hagerty silver polish.

Ditto.

As a side-note.... there's been some speculation that ammonia can contribute to 'brickly-ness' (izzat a word?) in brass. The 'real' Windex used to contain some ammonia (don't know if the current formulation does or if the 'cheapo' versions do).

I use Pledge furniture polish to remove fingerprints from any surface... brass, silver, etc.

You can't go wrong with Hagerty Silver Polish.

Nothing seems to work well on satin-silver finishes except plain old soap and water. Too much rubbing on satin finishes will result in loss of finish.

[DHMTuba]

Hi Dan, just curious about the "sparkling" bit - I assume they mean selzer or carbonated water. Is it the CO2 content that makes it effective for cleaning?

[sloan]

Hi Dan, just curious about the "sparkling" bit - I assume they mean selzer or carbonated water. Is it the CO2 content that makes it effective for cleaning?

Ja ja, mit gas bitte.

Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is what you taste.

[TheHatTuba]

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